Local Authorities have a duty under the 1996 Housing Act (amended by the 2002 Homelessness Act) to review homelessness in their area, develop a strategy to prevent homelessness and provide permanent housing for people who are statutorily homeless.
Authorities take their responsibilities to address homelessness very seriously and have acted proactively over recent years to prevent homelessness by providing housing options services. This approach has been successful and has reduced homelessness and the use of bed and breakfast accommodation, but it has not eradicated the problems. Many households in Wales still face homelessness and the numbers are likely to increase as a result of cuts in public expenditure.
The Welsh Assembly Government’s 10 Year Homelessness Plan 2009-19 provides a framework for Local Authorities planning and services at a local level. The aims of the national 10 year plan are:
- Preventing homelessness wherever possible;
- Working across organisational and policy boundaries;
- Placing the service user at the centre of service delivery;
- Ensuring social inclusion and equality of access to services;
- Making the best use of resources.
For more information contact: Sue Finch